Fresh flowers and veggies, artisanal breads and pastries, soaps and candles, live music and more can be found this summer at the Downtown Elgin Market, which returns for the season on June 5.
Now in its 26th season, the market on Riverside Drive is open from 3 to 7 p.m. every Friday through September, said Jennifer Fukala, executive director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin. It also celebrates the “First Friday” of the month by remaining open until 8 p.m. on June 5, July 3 and Aug. 7.
“We are excited to bring favorite returning vendors, farmers and fruit producers to the downtown. There will be returning favorites that everyone has come to enjoy,” Fukala said.
“Some of the vendors (have been) with us for many years, like Three Bees Honey and The Irie Cup, a tea vendor. There are always new vendors that come every year and we’re always excited for them to participate. This market is sort of the first point of entry for them to participate in the area and grow their clientele within the community.”
Among the vendors selling their wares this year are Farmer Nick’s, offering meat and eggs; Tiki Terrace Food Truck Hawaiian food truck; bakeries like Beakers and Brownies, Sandra’s Homemade and Oh Scrummy; Gigawatt Coffee Roasters; Little O’s Frozen Treats; Nourish sourdough breads; Spartan Gourmet Foods oils and vinegars; Uncle B’s Smoke and Fire; Wicha En El Micelio art and CBD products; and Bella Bella’s Café. Non-food vendors include Rockin’ Crystals, White Orchid Designs, Laserchix and Blazeprintingco.
“Our goal is to be habit-forming (so visitors always) come down here and start the weekend,” Fukala said. “That includes shopping at the market for great products and food they’re going to use to cook with over the weekend or bring to a party.
“A lot of times people are coming for the market, staying for a meal, visiting one of our bars for a beverage. That’s really building that social fabric and community building downtown.”
There will be weekly live entertainment, she said, including fan-favorite Mariachi Joya Dorada de U-46, a performance ensemble comprised of students from several U-46 middle and high schools.
The market is curated with intentional diversity among its vendors, she said.
“Growers and farmers are always a really important category for us,” she said. “When we talk about a farmers market, it’s farming in a broad sense. For example, we have a meat vendor who farms his own cattle and is a professional butcher. That’s a different kind of farming. It’s farmers and food producers primarily.”
Programs will pair with theme days, she said.
“The way we build out the theme is that we invite nonprofits and mission-based groups to participate as community partners on those days and bring programming that fits with that theme,” she said.
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“We have a pollinator theme on the second week and for example, Kane County Wild Ones has always been a big participant with us and they often bring programming for that day. That’s a master gardeners’ program through Kane County. They do a lot of gardening education and natural planting.”
Other themed days include local history and pets, she said.
Children should visit the market’s Kid’s Corner, where they can paint pottery courtesy of Ceramica an Art Affair art studio.
Fukala said she hopes the market is a tradition for residents.
“In an ever-changing world, the market is something we can look forward to and rely on and is something very grounding in our own communities and I feel is really an important piece that sometimes gets (overlooked),” she said.
“It’s a great place to come and build community with each other, see your friends, see your neighbors, have that social interaction. Especially in a large community like Elgin, having everyone come downtown so that they feel like it’s their downtown is something really special.”
West Dundee French Market
When: 4-8 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 28
Where: West Dundee Pump House, 98 Oregon Ave.
Information: 847-551-3800; facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575276353687
This market is organized by Bensidoun USA, which operates several European-style markets in the Chicago area.
Several vendors are returning this year, including Pink Kitchen Bread and Bill’s Olive Oil. A band will perform at the first market.
East Dundee Depot Market
When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 31 (excluding Sept. 26)
Where: The Depot, 319 N. River St.
Information: 847-426-2822; facebook.com/eastdundeedepot
New this year, the village is piloting a Twilight Evening Market, which will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. June 4 and July 2. There will be no Depot Market on June 6 and July 4.
The weekly market features makers, growers and small businesses, organizers said. It will feature special events tied to Flag Day and the American 250th anniversary as well as several themed days and a Halloween event and pumpkin decorating contest.
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Market in the Hollow
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. June 14, July 4, Aug. 9, Sept. 13, Oct. 24
Where: Sabatino Park, 145 Thorobred Lane, Sleepy Hallow
Information: 847-525-3952; facebook.com/p/Market-in-the-Hollow-61576354448329
This market features items that are homegrown, farm grown, handmade and homemade.
There will be themed events on July 4 and Oct. 31.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.